New York State May LIft Moratorium on Fracking -- Fracking Deemed To Be Safe

Update

July 25, 2011: Norwegian company applies for fracking permits. 

July 1, 2011: New York State -- fracking is safe, but first permits probably won't be issued this year.

New York State environmental authorities have determined that hydraulic fracturing can be safe, but the first permits to apply the controversial drilling technique won't likely be issued this year, the state's top environmental official said Friday.

Original Post

Link here.

New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo is expected to lift a moratorium on the controversial natural gas extraction technique known as hydraulic fracturing, The New York Times reported on Thursday.

Such a move could open the state to a gas drilling boom similar to what is happening in neighboring Pennsylvania, and it would certainly raise opposition from environmentalists who believe "fracking" or "hydrofracking" pollutes drinking water.

A spokesman for Governor Andrew Cuomo, Joshua Vlasto, called the report "baseless speculation and premature."

Just a trial balloon. Common ploy on controversial subjects in politics.